Bata, Bata… Paano Ka Ginawa?
Family Planning, Contraception, and the Responsibility Behind Bringing a Child Into the World
“Every single child is a miracle and a gift from God.” — J.D. Vance.
A child is often described as a miracle. Someone to be cherished. Someone to be cared for. Someone to be loved. But most of all, it is a responsibility. A responsibility that many people take on, but only a few succeed in fulfilling.
The responsibility of raising a child is heavy for anyone. What more if one is unprepared for it?
According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 71 out of every 1,000 women aged 15 to 49 in the Philippines experienced an unintended pregnancy between 2015 and 2019. Where 51% of pregnancies were unintended, placing us 56th among 150 countries in terms of unintended pregnancy rates.
These numbers reveal that for many women, pregnancy does not always happen when it is planned or expected. And when an unexpected pregnancy occurs, the title of “Parent” becomes too heavy for anyone to carry.
Made Responsibly
In light of these predicaments, a safe, effective, and long term plan has been offered — Family Planning. Family planning is not simply about preventing a pregnancy but rather providing partners with an opportunity to make decisions about their reproductive lives.
In the Philippines, efforts toward accessible family planning are supported by Republic Act No. 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. It is a law that aims to help women and men achieve their desired number of children through responsible family planning. Its goal is to ensure everyone’s right to reproductive health by providing equal access to accurate information and services.
Get The APEXES Academic Society’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Succinctly, family planning is about giving people the needed information for them to make responsible choices in making their family.
Contraception of Choice
Family planning is the use of modern, safe, and effective methods to control the number of children and establish an appropriate interval between pregnancies. It offers a range of methods that can be considered according to an individual’s needs and circumstances.
For those seeking a permanent method, tubal ligation and vasectomy are options. On the other hand, IUDs and implants provide long-term pregnancy prevention, while pills and injectables use hormones to prevent pregnancy. Meanwhile, condoms act as a barrier to prevent sperm from reaching the egg and also help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
There is no one-size-fits-all method for family planning. Everyone is different. The appropriate method depends on a person’s health, circumstances, and reproductive goals. Always remember, to consult a qualified healthcare professional in picking the contraception of your choice.
Plan for the Future
At the end of the day, our lives are in our hands, and with that comes the responsibility to make informed choices about our future. Family planning gives us the opportunity to decide when we are ready to take on the responsibility of parenthood and to prepare for the life we hope to build.
It doesn’t matter which family-planning method is chosen, as long as the decision is made with knowledge, preparation, and responsibility.
So, maybe we were asking the wrong question. Instead of asking, “Bata, bata… paano ka ginawa?”. Maybe we should also ask:
“Bata, Bata… Pinaghandaan ka ba?”
Because bringing a child into the world is more than simply creating life. It is choosing to be ready for it.
And perhaps the best answer is simple: Oo, pinaghandaan ako. I was made responsibly.
